Police most corrupt, media most trusted - poll

Kenyans view the police as the most corrupt in the country, followed closely by parliamentarians and government officials.

According to a study conducted by the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on corruption among government officials, 68 per cent of Kenyans said the police were corrupt, while 48 per cent said MPs participated in graft.

The survey found out that Media was still the most trusted non-state actor at 77 per cent followed by the civil society.

Police headquarters, Vigilance House, Nairobi. A study has shown that Kenyans view police as the most corrupt [Photo:Boniface Okendo/ Standard]

On service delivery, most Kenyans were certified with the ongoing infrustracture development around the country.

Another 51 per cent blamed government officials for parciparting in corruption while 49 per cent blamed councillors.

The survey also revealed that judges and magistrates are viewed as the least corrupt in the republic with an overwhelming 78 per cent saying they were free of corruption. About 70 per cent of Kenyans and another 71 per cent said officials in the offices of the Prime Minister and the President were not corrupt, respectively.

Known as the Afro-Barometer Round 5 Kenya Survey, the report was conducted between November 4 and December 5, 2011 by University of Nairobi lead researchers Professor Winnie Mitullah, Dr Adams Oloo, Dr Joshua Kivuva, Dr Paul Kamau and Mr Abel Oyuke.

It touched on corruption, citizen trust for leadership, government performance and service delivery.

"People said they did not believe police could deliver services unless they are bribed based on their experiences. This is consistent with previous surveys," said Dr Paul Kamau.

He added; " Ironically this is not the same with officials of the judiciary who people have began to trust, especuially after the promulgation of the constitution."

Kenyans also pointed a finger at parliament based on mega scandals that have been associated with some MPs.

Those asked why they did not report cases of corruption said they feared reprisal from the corrupt and thought the authorities may also be involved in graft.

"Kenyans who associated the Kenya Revenue Authority (40 per cent) with graft said the officials took advantage of their ignorance because they did not understand the on goings at the office," said Dr Adams Oloo.

On citizens trust for leadership, 61 per cent said they still trusted President Kibaki while 57 per cent they trusted the Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Those who said they trusted Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka were 46 per cent.

However, 49 per cent trusted MPs with another 38 per cent saying they trusted their local government authorites.

On party affiliation, 45 per cent said they trusted the Grand Coalition, 42 on Orange Democratic Party while 37 per cent trusted Party on National Unity Alliance. The other 28 Per cent had trust for other parties.

Over 2,400 repondents were interviewed in the survey in 44 counties, excluding, Mandera, Samburu and Lamu due to insecurity at the time.

The Afrobarometer is an independent, nonpartisan research project that measures the social, political, and economic atmosphere in Africa.

The survey covers the entire country and is based on national propbability samples of selected individuals with the support of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to represent all citizens of voting age.